On Patrol Longboat Key – Week ending September 21, 2018

The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.

Sept. 8

Traffic violation

10:17 p.m.

Officer Vogt while on patrol in the 6800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive when he observed a Dodge pick up truck traveling at a high rate of speed. Officer Vogt was able to get behind the vehicle and pace him and get his speed. Officer Vogt then conducted a traffic stop on the white Dodge pick-up truck. Officer Vogt checked the driver through DAVID, and the vehicle through NCIC and both were clear. Officer Vogt issued the driver a written warning.

Public service

11:43 p.m.

Officer Vogt was dispatched to 4100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a public assist. Upon arrival, Officer Vogt met with the caller, who said she was wanting to know if he wasn’t busy, if he could sit in the area while she was cleaning her vehicle from her limo service that she drives for. She said she was a little nervous being out this late by herself since there are not too many people out due to the red tide. She has to clean the vehicle after she finished using it driving a client. She also said she got nervous hearing about the coyote that has been running around. Officer Vogt explained that the coyote will no hurt her and the coyote is probably more afraid of humans than humans are of him. Officer Vogt finished up some of his paperwork training videos while waiting in the area making her feel safe and secure until she finished up.

Sept. 9

Traffic violation

3:44 a.m.

Officer Vogt while on patrol near the 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive when he observed a red Saturn pass by with no rear tail lights on. Officer Vogt conducted a traffic stop on Gulf of Mexico Drive. When Officer Vogt approached the driver and explained why he was stopped, the driver advised that he has been having some electrical problems with his vehicle lately. He said he was not aware the rear lights were not on, and was going to get the vehicle fixed. Officer Vogt issued the driver a written warning for the repairs.

Sarasota on patrol

Sept. 9

Grand theft

5:00 p.m.

Officer Grochowski responded to N. Orange Ave. in reference to a grand theft. Upon arrival, he spoke to the victim. The victim stated that he had recently moved into this retirement home due to some medical issues on June 27. The victim advised that before this he was living at Four Season Circle. The victim informed Officer Grochowski that he had his son move in with him in Oct. 2017 as his caregiver and that he had a verbal agreement with his landlord that his son could stay inside the house just as long as there were no issues. The victim said that he was contacted by his cousin who was contacted by the landlord saying that when they went inside the home on this date that they noticed a 42 inch black Vizio TV ($200), a black Sharp TV ($100), a freezer ($150), Kenmore washer ($200) and Kenmore dryer ($200) were missing. It should be noted that whoever was living in that apartment was going to be evicted and the actual eviction took place on Sept. 7, 2018. The victim stated that he believed that the eviction happened because there were issues while his son was staying there. Also, the victim thinks that his son might have taken the things out of the house but had no proof that this actually occurred. The victim advised that he didn’t think anyone else would have entered the house. Officer Grochowski spoke with a few residents who wanted to remain anonymous, but stated that the son and father have had nothing but issues since they have been at the residence. The residents did say that the son was known to use drugs but never saw him leave the complex with any of the items that were missing. Officer Grochowski tried to make contact with the landlord/management group, to see if there was any more information or video on this incident, but no one answered. At this Officer Grochowski had no suspect information and was unsure when the items were actually taken before or after the eviction.

Dispute

9:59 p.m.

Officer Stoll responded to Main Street in reference to a dispute. On arrival, Officer Stoll made contact with the complainant who stated that he and his family were inside the store trying to purchase ice cream. He said that as they waited in line an older woman who was described as possibly being Arabian, cut in front of him and his family. The man advised that he said something about the woman cutting in line then said, “this is f-ing bull-t” and left the store with his family. The man advised that the woman and her family, approximately ten subjects followed him outside of the store and began threatening him and his family. The complainant stated that he said nothing to the subjects that should have caused such a reaction. The complainant advised that the subjects were still inside the store. Officer Stoll went inside to attempt to make contact. Once inside, Officer Stoll observed several subjects inside the store and asked them if they were involved in the dispute. At this point the manager advised that Officer Stoll had “racially profiled” those subjects and that the group in question had left approximately 20 minutes prior to his arrival. Officer Stoll explained to her that asking if someone was involved in a dispute, when he had very little descriptive information, was not “racial profiling.” The manager then advised that the complainant was the cause of the dispute. She said that he was acting racist toward the woman that stepped in front of him and making derogatory statements. She said that if he came back into the store that she wished to have him trespassed. The other party of this incident was not present to give a statement. No further police action was necessary at this time.

Sept. 10

Suspicious activity

9:28 p.m.

Officer Worthington responded to Siesta Drive for a report of suspicious activity. The complainant called police to report a suspicious woman sleeping in front of her P.O. Box. She said that the woman was sleeping there the night before as well. The woman was there, lying on a pillow, charging her cell phone. Officer Worthington advised the subject that she cannot sleep in the Post Office. Officer Worthington offered her transport to the Salvation Army but she refused. She also refused a HOT booklet, and said that she was just waiting for a friend to pick her up. The subject then began talking about her California police badge. She made several other strange statements and it became obvious that she is a special interest person. The subject did not fit the Baker Act criteria. Officer Worthington stood by while she left the Post Office and advised Zone 9 of the issue. No further action taken.